Sony partners with Astar Network to launch a joint Web3 incubation program

Fresh off itspartnership with Toyota on sponsoring the world’s first global Web3 hackathon on its network, Astar Network is joining forces with Sony to launch a joint Web3 incubation program.

Today,  Astar Network announced today that Sony Network Communications, an operating arm of the Sony Group, will co-host a Web3 Incubation Program with Astar Network, the smart contract platform for multichain. The two companies will combine their resources and expertise to jointly nurture Web3 projects focused on the utility of NFTs and DAOs.

The Web3 Incubation Program powered by Sony Network Communications and Astar will run from mid-March to mid-June. The program will begin accepting applications on February 17. Both Sony Network Communications and Astar Foundation will review all applications and decide 10 to 15 cohorts. Sony and Astar will be collaborating with Startale Labs, a Singapore-based company founded by Astar Network CEO Sota Watanabe, to organize the incubation program.

Sony Network Communications is exploring how blockchain technology can solve various problems in their industry. This Incubation program with Astar Network makes it possible for them to quickly find the relevant Web3 solutions.

Sota Watanabe, CEO of Startale Labs and Astar Network, said, “We are pleased to launch the Web3 incubation program with Sony Network Communications, one of the Sony Group’s companies, which has been involved in the NFT sector and other Web3 initiatives within the Group. We hope to share the knowledge and resources of both companies to provide value to the participants selected for the program and create new use cases and projects.”

Startale Labs develops dApps and infrastructure and provides business consulting services based on its expertise in multi-chain protocol development. It also acts as the gateway for large enterprises to integrate with Astar Network. Startale  Labs will provide business strategy and tech support to participating projects by leveraging Astar’s development, past consulting, and R&D business expertise.

Additionally, Sony Network Communications continues its mission to support new organizations that leverage the telecommunications business and assets within the Sony Group. Ltd. They have set up a Singapore regional office to conduct contracted development and consulting business related to NFT products.

The program invites participants from around the world, regardless of their Web3 startup phase. It will include learning sessions with global VC firms such as Dragonfly, Fenbushi Capital, and Alchemy Ventures; and Web3 companies, as well as business and technology strategy workshops. In mid-June, an offline demo day will be held at the Sony Group headquarters in Tokyo during Japan Blockchain Week.

The participating Web3 projects will benefit from:

• Direct connections and feedback with world-class Web3 companies such as Web3 Foundation and Alchemy, as well as free access to informative sessions.
• Resources, tech support, and financial assistance from Sony Network Communications and Astar. Promising companies will be considered for investment from Sony Network Communications.
• A Demo Day with Sony Network Communications and product growth support for the Astar team.

Applicants who are interested in the program should apply on the following page.

Astar Network is the go-to Layer-1 blockchain for developers and companies building for the Japanese market. The government, enterprises, and Web3 solutions in Japan are actively working with Astar to bring together a global platform originating from Japan.

Over 70 decentralized applications have been built on Astar’s reliable blockchain since its mainnet launch in January 2022. Astar’s native token, ASTR, is already listed on Bitbank, one of the largest Japanese exchanges. This accessibility makes it easy for Japanese enterprises and startups to grow a Web3 business by developing applications and use cases on Astar Network.